The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is launching an investigation into the pricing of rebar imported from a number of countries.

CBSA is investigating whether bars originating in or exported from Belarus, Portugal, Spain, Japan, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) and Hong Kong are being sold at unfair prices in Canada.

In parallel, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) will begin a preliminary inquiry to determine whether the imports are harming Canadian producers.

The investigation is the result of a complaint filed by ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada, AltaSteel and Gerdau Ameristeel Corporation. The complainants allege that as a result of price undercutting from the specified places, Canadian producers face lost revenue and market share, resulting in reduced production and employment.

Currently, there are 48 special import measures in force, covering a wide variety of industrial and consumer products, from steel products to refined sugar. The measures are designed to provide direct helped to protect the Canadian economy and jobs in Canada. A special import measure was put in place in December 2014 covering concrete reinforcing bar from China, South Korea and Turkey.

CITT will issue a decision on its investigation by 18 October and CBSA will make its preliminary decision on pricing by 17 November.